Vhils aka Alexandre Farto was born in Lisbon in 1987. He studied at the Bryam Shaw School of Art in London. First of all, Vhils is not a graffiti artist. He gained prominence after one of his original “face carved into walls” works appeared alongside one of the masterpieces of the famous street artist Banksy in 2008.

Several works by Vhils can be seen all around Lisbon. In Alfama, for example, there’s his recent mural with Amália, the Portuguese Fado singer. Near the Lx Factory, there’s a huge building with a giant face that is amazing. That was the first work I saw by Vhils.

The work on this photo, was a collaboration between Vhils and Italian street artist Pixel Pancho. It features a steampunk android smashing a boat near the river. Vhils’ style of dilapidating a building is surreal and you have to see the work from a distance to fully understand it. It took them 4 days to finish it!

Take a walk around Alfama and once you’ve reached Jardim do Tabaco, cross the Avenue and check the small building near the boats terminal. It’s awesome!